Monday, 12 March 2012

SINGER 114w103 - Chainstitch Embroidery Machine

The love affair with chain stitching is somewhat eclipsed if you have one of these. The Singer 114w103 is the first chainstitch machine Singer made, starting around 1911. It was 1st used in a treadle table and often called a “Cornely Type”, modeled after Cornely of France’s design that went into production in 1865.

These single needle chain-stitch machines were used to stitch names onto garments, workshirts, handkerchiefs etc... Now most embroideries are done on modern computerised machines, but there something quite amazing using the freehand crank below the machine, while directing your embroidery above, and controlling the speed with your feet.

Roy Slaper of "ROY" has one of these machines, which he, by hand chain stitches the shop / or often his own name in the jean on the pocket bag. check out a video of him using this amazing machine on his selvage duck pants for Self Edge...

Finding one has been tricky, they sometimes pop up on ebay, and sell for 300-500USD but theres a guy in japan who re-conditions them, stripes them down, re paints them... and even makes custom boxes for them, ( so you can have the hand crank on top of the main table) and so they can fit on any modern table, with out much modification.. I personally like them with the paint coming off. This will be the next machine i invest in for sure.

62 comments:

Great post! I have three of these machines and there is definitely something enchanting about them. My oldest is from 1913 and the most "recent" is from the early 60's and it's interesting to note the subtle differences in design.

hi mohsin,i want to know that brother ,usha,etc sewing machines have launched this type of computerised machine or any other company.i saw in ludhiana these machines r used by some workers but r very noisy.

I have a 1965 version 114K103 that is currently up for sale at eBay.com and will also soon have for auction a black body Singer 114W103 with W serial number(lost records). Could I please get some good parts contacts? Both are missing a few parts although they move freely. My email is Enriched4Living@aol.comThanks, Linda

I have a Singer 114w103 for sale. My Mom bought it over 20 years ago and has never used it.It has been used by someone else over the years and looks to be in good shape. Has a Letter of Authenticity from Singer dated May 1985 valuing the head alone at $1,545.00. email me if interested ; jkkluger@att.net

Hi I'm looking for spare parts for a Singer 114W103.Specifically:Needle Holder No 222 451 andNeedle Holder Clamping Sleeve with 201053F (Thumb Screw)(In my lies a remnant of an old Needle Holder :()Can anybody help me further?(When I get these two, I still need a needle for the "nipple no8")Casrsten.koch(at)fahnen-koch.de

*** I HAVE THE EARLY (I SAW 1886 BUT HEAR IT MAY BE A 1911 IF THATS WHEN THEY STARTED MAKING THEM??...ALTHOUGH, ORIGINALLY FOUND IT LISTED UNDER RARE 1886 SINGER INDUSTRIAL SINGLE THREAD CHAIN STITCH EMBROIDERY SEWING MACHINE 114E103, AT A VALUE OF $3,900! SO I DONT KNOW EXACTLY BUT IT IS JUST THE MACHINE, NO TABLE AND IF MOTOR IS IN THE TABLE, THEN I DONT HAVE THAT PART. BUT IT IS EXTREMELY HEAVY AND REST IS THERE IT APPEARS...TAKING REASONABLE OFFERS AS IT IS VERY RARE, VERY HARD TO FIND, AND A PRETTY VALUABLE, SOUGHT-AFTER, AMAZING PIECE OF HISTORY. Clinestar1@yahoo.com...text for pics 503-409-0211 Tammi